CONSERVATION PICTURE FRAMING
The damaging effect of air pollution, paper degradation, sunlight, artificial lights, and the acid by-products of the art’s own aging can cause severe deterioration to art, prints, photographs, and documents. Whether your artwork or objects are sentimental family heirlooms or have investment value, Art Impressions will use materials and techniques to protect and extend your possession’s life and beauty.
Conservation picture framing involves experts applying specialized knowledge, materials, and techniques to ensure that if the artwork is removed from the frame in the future, it will not show any evidence that it was framed, thereby preserving its long-term value. The three most important elements of conservation framing are the mat board, the backing material, and the glass.
Mat Boards
Matting is the border that surrounds your art within the frame. It is more than just a pretty color; the purpose of matting is both protective and cosmetic.
In conservation terms, the primary purpose of matting is to keep the cover/glass from coming into contact with the framed subject matter. Placing the glass directly against the artwork can result in buckles, wrinkles, mold formations, Newton’s rings (applicable to photographs), and adherence to the glass.
Using higher quality mat board is essential to protecting your artwork. Matboard not rated as conservation quality contains elements that will damage the artwork over time. These natural substances include acids and lignin. Through the aging process, which is intensified by sunlight and heat, the mat board burns or discolors the art it surrounds.
All mat boards used for museum quality conservation are 100% cotton and completely acid and lignin-free. At Art Impressions, all mounting of conservation artwork is carried out so it can be completely removable to ensure no damage to your art.
Glazing
Glass or acrylic is a barrier between the artwork and the outside elements such as dust, moisture, curious observers, and ultraviolet (UV) light. The energy in UV light can cause paper embrittlement, color deterioration, loss of brightness, and other damage. This damage is both cumulative and irreversible.
The glass should not interfere with but enhance your artwork. Our conservation professionals will assist you in choosing the most appropriate glass for your artwork.
Regular clear glass used in standard picture framing will protect the artwork from dust and pollution but will allow UV light and reflection to interfere with the art.
Conservation clear glass contains UV qualities that block 99% of damaging UV light but does not have any anti-reflection properties.
Museum-quality glass blocks out 99% of UV light while allowing 97% of light transmission to the art with less than 1% reflection! Museum-quality glass is the ultimate option, rapidly becoming the ‘standard’ in leading museums and fine art galleries worldwide.
Backing Material
Art Impressions uses an acid-free foam board for all our conservation framing. It contains no wood pulp (a highly acidic substrate), and it does not contain lignin. All these items are entirely removable if your framing requirements change.
Visit Art Impressions Gallery & Framing, and our consultants will advise you on the most appropriate framing for your requirements.
Click on a category to learn more about custom framing at Art Impressions.